Casas leads Viet Masters, Bibat in 2nd

Filipino Felix Casas staged a sensational comeback mid-way through his round to take the lead after the opening day of the $50,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam.

The 41-year-old, who has already triumphed once this year on the Mercedes-Benz Tour, carded a three-under-par 69 to lie one ahead of compatriot Michael Bibat, Malaysian Rashid Ismail and Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand.

Casas was three over par after seven holes at Van Tri Golf Club in Hanoi but dramatically turned things around with four birdies in a row from the eighth followed by birdies on 15 and 17.

“Conditions were not easy as there was a strong breeze early but then it calmed down so I was able to find my rhythm,” said Casas.

Casas claimed the B-ing Championship in Thailand in September for his first win since he won the 2001 Philippine Open.

“The win did my confidence a lot of good after several seasons of playing badly,” added Casas, who finished joint third in this event last year when it was played in Ho Chi Minh.

Rookie professional Bibat was also unsettled by the wind playing his first nine in four under before the stiff breeze put him two over coming home.

The Filipino has been a regular feature on the leaderboards on the Mercedes-Benz Tour this year. He nearly won the Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia where he led by one going into the final round before finishing joint second.

Philippine amateur Anthony Fernando and Thai teenager Varut Chomchalam opened their accounts with 71 while there was plenty to cheer about for the local fans.

Huynh Van Son once again proudly flew the flag for Vietnam by shooting a 73.

He was the joint first round leader in the tournament last year and eventually finished equal eighth.

Huyhn and Nguyen The Vinh are the only two Vietnam professionals competing, while there are four amateurs.

Nguyen shot a 79 while Trinh Van Tho produced the best result among the local amateurs with a 77. 

Leading first round scores:

Par 72

(a) denotes amateur

69 - Felix Casas (PHI) 

70 - Rashid Ismail (MAS), Michael Bibat (PHI), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 

71 - Anthony Fernando (Am) (PHI), Varut Chomchalam (THA) 

72 - Kwanchai Tannin (THA), M Sasidaran (MAS), Marvin Dumandan (PHI), Danny Zarate (PHI), Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA)

73 - Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS), Huynh Van Son (VNM), Jay Bayron (PHI), Lim Eng Seng (MAS), GL Tan (MAS)

74 - Ekkalak Waisayangkul (THA), Tseng Shih-Hsin (TWN), Borworn Chaisri (THA), Pijit Petchkasem (THA), Eric Gozo (PHI), Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA), Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (THA)

Selected:

77 - Danny Chia (MAS)